Terminally ill teen receives VIP treatment from NYPD

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — We first met 14-year-old Jacob Priestly back in the summer.

The Arizona teen was diagnosed with mitochondria disease – a terminal illness that drains all his energy among other things.

In an effort to make him feel better, his mother Britney asked those on Facebook to send cards for his upcoming birthday.

In the end, he received more than 10,000 cards and his story went viral.

It caught the attention of the NYPD Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, which added on to the tally sending their own cards to the teen.

On Tuesday, they out did themselves when they welcomed Jacob and his family to the Big Apple where the teen started the day at Radio City Music Hall and then was escorted by the NYPD to Brooklyn to receive his own proclamation from Borough President Eric Adams.

“Just having the opportunity to read words – encouraging words, kind words, lifted his spirits and when I saw that I was just like wow,” Assist. Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, commanding officer at NYPD Patrol Borough Brooklyn North.

“When I get a birthday card I’m shaking it for a little money or something and all he wants are just some kind words.”

Jacob was beyond enthusiastic.

“This is awesome there’s just no other way to explain it,” he told PIX11 News. “It’s awesome and cool.”

Jacob’s big trip to New York City doesn’t end there. He’s taking in the sights and sounds of everything even catching an Islanders game Tuesday night at Barclay’s Center.

His family says it all gives him a boost to get through another day.

“You know we get to spend time and make memories with our kid and watch him just smile,” Tom Priestly, Jacob’s father said. “His smile radiates the room and we are glad that New York gets to see it.”